WCSO SPECIAL NEWS RELEASE FOR 2 MAR 18

Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission

An investigation by Agents of the Ohio Organized Crimes Investigations Commission, Washington Morgan Noble Major Crimes Task Force resulted in a search warrant executed at 304 Kenwood Ave, Marietta, Ohio in regards to a drug investigation.

Upon executing the warrant, agents located Amelia Torres coming down the stairs into the living room where she was handcuffed. While securing the rest of the home, Agents were in a second floor bedroom and located the defendant, Matthew Dagnesi coming from the third floor (finished attic area). When Agents attempted to place him in handcuffs, he immediately began resisting and had to be taken to the floor. Once on the floor he continued to fight with Agents and refused to give his hands attempting to conceal what was later determined to be a cell phone. He was eventually handcuffed and taken downstairs.

During the search, Agents located a small baggie of an unknown white powder on the dresser (2.30g), digital scales, multiple 1” square plastic baggies, and hundreds of syringes all on the third floor. Agents then located $1,000 cash money, 85.05 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 18.21 grams of suspected heroin, 10.02 grams of an unknown white powder, and five one gram baggies of an unknown powder (all the drugs were in a black bag). The cash and drugs had been thrown into the open end of a drop ceiling (thrown from an unfinished storage area on the third floor).

While being questioned (mirandized) Torres advised that she was aware that Matt Dagnesi was selling heroin from their residence. Torres admitted that she was also using heroin on a daily basis and that she was aware of Dagnesi’s trafficking of drugs.

Agents also located a loaded 9mm pistol and a spare loaded magazine inside of a small safe under a baby crib in the finished attic. Four boxes of 9mm ammo were also located in the second floor bedroom. Dagnesi has a prior felony conviction in the State of New York for criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Matthew James Dagnesi, age 30, 304 Kenwood Avenue, Marietta, Ohio, was transported to the Washington County Jail where he was charged with trafficking heroin and meth, both 2nd degree felonies, tampering with evidence and having weapons under disability, both 3rd degree felonies and resisting arrest, a 2nd degree misdemeanor.

Amelia Marie Torres, age 28, 304 Kenwood Avenue, Marietta, Ohio, was transported to the Washington County Jail where she was charged with permitting drug abuse, a 5th degree felony.

The Washington Morgan Noble Major Crimes Task Force is part of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s Organized Crime Investigation Commission and is comprised of representatives of Post 84 of the Ohio State Highway Patrol; Washington, Morgan and Noble County Sheriff’s Offices; the Marietta, Belpre and McConnelsville Police Departments; and the Washington, Morgan and Noble County Prosecutor’s Office.